The World is Changing Dynamically: An External Intelligence Service to be Established

A proposal has been made to establish an External Intelligence Service as a state management body subordinate to the Prime Minister. The government has approved the draft law on "External Intelligence Activities and the External Intelligence Service" along with related legislative initiatives.

The proposal notes that both the Ministry of Defense and the National Security Service currently have units performing similar functions, which are classified as military service. A political decision has been made to create a new type of state service that will not be military in nature. This will allow the newly established body to also include public servants working in other ministries who, through their experience, knowledge, and professionalism, will contribute to the establishment of the External Intelligence Service.

It is emphasized that the establishment of this service will not only enhance the operational effectiveness of the National Security Service but also provide the opportunity to respond more flexibly and adequately to the challenges of a rapidly changing world and region. Three years after the establishment of the External Intelligence Service, other bodies and units engaged in external intelligence activities will cease such operations.

Prime Minister Pashinyan stated that the world is changing dynamically, and the forms and methods of external intelligence are also undergoing significant transformations. “It is very important that we can transform and develop our capabilities in line with modern conditions and requirements. In this sense, I think one of the important observations is that we see that intelligence methods in the world are evolving in such a way that they do not always have a direct connection to military service,” Pashinyan said.

According to the Prime Minister, the topic does not favor too many details, but it will be subject to public discussion in the National Assembly. “I hope that we will significantly develop our country's external intelligence capabilities; of course, this will not happen rapidly,” he noted.